Aug 122011
 

What is scabies? What are its causes?

Scabies is a skin disease found in both humans and animals. Basically, it is a skin infection which is caused by a special type of parasite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. This parasite is so tiny that it can’t be seen with naked eye and it can easily go under the skin to cause this problem.

There are many causes due to which a person can get infected by scabies. This disease is spread mostly through direct contact with the skin of the affected person for some time. The longer the skin contact is there; higher will be the risks involved. As this parasite is able to enter the body of another person, the lifecycle might take 3 to 4 weeks to complete. The movement of this parasite is the reason behind itching during scabies.

Since it is a contagious disease, the safer option is always to avoid direct contact with the affected person. Sometimes this disease is also spread by scratching a part of your skin. You might get the parasite that causes Scabies in your finger nails so when you touch any part of your skin with your hand unwashed, there will be great chances the skin area will be affected by Scabies. The tiny parasite transfers from one person to another in very quick time.

Direct contact with the affected person is not essential for you to get this disease. You might become a victim of scabies as you come across the objects or things used by the affected person. Scabies parasite may be found in the bed sheets, furniture and other related items that are directly under use of that person. Anything that the Scabies affected person touches can have this dangerous parasite that can so easily be transferred to your skin.

The parasite which causes Scabies is often called as Scabies mite. This dangerous parasite is able to survive on its own without a human host for as long as 36 hours. Normally, within this time period it is able to find another host which can be human as well as animal. As it enters the skin of the new host, it repeats its same cycle that it does every time causing severe skin infection.

Scabies is not a viral disease so it can be treated with proper medication and anti-scabies treatments. Some of the creams like Permethrin work best to cure this problem in quick time. Though the treatment might be expensive and misidentification of scabies may occur in some cases, but through proper treatment, the patient is able to recover from this problem completely.

  2 Responses to “What is scabies? What are its causes?”

  1. [...] There are uncountable skin diseases that one can fall a victim too. Some are treatable, others give the infected person a tough time. Nonetheless, we are curious to know the possible reasons that cause these diseases. This article discusses the few common reasons that cause Scabies. [...]

  2. [...] Scabies is a skin infection which is caused by a tiny skin parasite. Here I have listed some of the important facts regarding this severe problem that can give you a better understanding of the disease and how it is spread. I am sure most of these facts will be new for you and they will certainly add to your knowledge. [...]

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